Knit design method and device

ABSTRACT

An object of the invention is to quickly display a simulation image of knitting stitches approximate to an actually knitted fabric. When an image is present in the position of the knitting stitches  12, 13  corresponding between an upper layer  1  and a lower layer  2 , the images of knitting stitches for pattern  11  or transformed knitting stitches  12, 13  in the upper layer  1  having the highest priority are displayed. In each layer, it is possible to perform an editing operation of selecting combinations of knitting stitches previously registered in a form of module from a library and changing the position and the shape of the image of the knitting stitches. The knitting stitches in the periphery of the knitting stitch for a pattern  11  are substituted for the transformed knitting stitches  12, 13  reflecting the influence of the making of the knitting stitch for pattern. Image data on basic knitting stitches  10 , the knitting stitch for a pattern  11 , and transformed knitting stitches  12, 13  is created utilizing the images of actual knitted fabrics or computer graphics and is stored. By combining the stored image data, a simulation image of knitting stitches like that of an actually knitted fabric can be quickly displayed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a knit design method and apparatus thatcan simulate and display images of a knitted fabric of a knittedproduct.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in designing knitted fabrics of kitted products, methodsof representation for making knitted fabrics such as knitting stitchsymbols or knitting symbols defined by, for example, JIS L 0200 of theJapanese Industrial Standard, are used. The knitting stitch symbols aresymbols indicating textures of various knitting stitches such as frontknitting stitches, back knitting stitches, front tuck knitting stitches,back tuck knitting stitches, float stitches and transfer stitches. Theknitting symbols are symbols indicating the order of knitting with aneedle corresponding to each knitting stitch symbol. The methods ofrepresentation for making knitted fabrics designate individual knittingstitch constituting a knitted fabric, and according to this designation,knitting data for making a knitted fabric with an automatic flatknitting machine can be generated.

The applicant has proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent PublicationJP-A 60-71748 (1985) a technique for generating knitting data for anautomatic flat knitting machine with color codes represented that aresubstituted for the knitting stitch symbols. Substituting color codesfor the knitting stitch symbols makes it easy to design a knitted fabricby image processing with a computer, and textures of more kinds ofknitting stitches can be displayed on displaying means, using a largenumber of colors.

The applicant also has proposed in Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication JP-A 7-70890 (1995) a technique for generating loop imagesof knitting stitches constituting a knitted fabric by simulation,utilizing data for making a knitted fabric, and displaying the simulatedimages of the knitted fabric. Furthermore, in Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication JP-A 9-111617 (1997), a technique for disintegrating imagedata into a plurality of layers and allowing display of the priority andgrouping of the layers so as to facilitate designing when performingknit design for generating data for making a knitted fabric has beenproposed.

In the case of performing knit design, when the methods ofrepresentation for making a knitted fabric are used, the displayedimages do not necessarily reflect faithfully the appearance of theactual knitted fabric that is knitted according to the data for making aknitted fabric. Therefore, a designer who designs a knitted fabric withdata for making a knitted fabric has to have an ability of imagining theappearance of the actual knitted fabric in designing, and the knittedfabric cannot be designed intuitionally.

When the simulation of a knitting stitch loop proposed in JP-A 7-70890is used, it is possible to design an actual knitted fabricintuitionally. In this technique, image processing is performed in thefollowing manner. Image data of knitting yarns are stored in advance,and the shape and the position of each loop of knitting stitches, thebrightness of each portion and the like are determined based on data formaking a knitted fabric, and the loop is divided into a plurality ofsegments, and synthesized as a loop corresponding to segmented imagedata of the knitting yarn. Therefore, the process takes time, and thefollowingness of image display with respect to an operation of designmodification or the like is not sufficient. In a knitted fabric knittedby an actual flat knitting machine, the shape of a knitting stitch in anearlier knitted course is transformed by the effect of the shape of aknitting stitch in a later knitted course. However, such transformationcannot be reflected appropriately.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a knit design method andapparatus that can display rapidly images of knitting stitches that areclose to those of the actually made knitted fabric.

The invention provides a knit design method for designing a knittedfabric while displaying an image of the knitted fabric, comprising:

allowing designing a knitted fabric by combining an image representing ashape of a basic knitting stitch for making a predetermined basicknitted fabric and an image representing a shape of a knitting stitchfor a pattern for forming a texture pattern by changing a knittingstitch of the knitted fabric from the shape of the basic knittingstitch;

allowing generating a plurality of kinds of images of a transformedknitting stitch representing a shape of a knitting stitch in a peripheryof the knitting stitch for a pattern that is transformed by an influenceof making the knitting stitch for a pattern, based on a combination ofthe basic knitting stitch and the transformed knitting stitch;

substituting the transformed image for the knitting stitch in theperiphery of the knitting stitch for a pattern, based on a predeterminedcorresponding relationship when design of the knitted fabric isperformed by combining the basic knitting stitch and the knitting stitchfor a pattern; and

displaying the image of the knitted fabric as an image obtained bycombining the basic knitting stitch, the knitting stitch for a patternand the transformed knitting stitch.

Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the design of theknitted fabric is performed by previously registering pattern designs ina library, the pattern designs being obtained by combining the basicknitting stitch, the knitting stitch for a pattern and the transformedknitting stitch so as to include a basic knitted fabric in which thebasic knitting stitches are arranged and a pattern knitted fabric inwhich the knitting stitches for a pattern are arranged as opposed to thebasic knitting stitches and the transformed knitting stitches aresubstituted for the stitches in the periphery, selecting a patterndesign registered in the library, and editing the selected patterndesign.

Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the image of theknitted fabric is displayed by synthesizing images of the pattern designthat are divided and assigned into a plurality of layers,

a degree of priority is assigned to each layer, and when images arepresent at a position of knitting stitches corresponding between thelayers, the image of the knitting stitch of the layer having the highestpriority is displayed, and

an operation of changing the position and the shape of the image of theknitting stitch can be performed for editing in each layer.

Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that at least a portionof the images of the basic knitting stitches, the knitting stitches fora pattern or the transformed knitting stitches is obtained by imaging anactual knitted fabric in advance and stored as image data.

Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that at least a portionof the basic knitting stitches, the knitting stitches for a pattern orthe transformed knitting stitches is created utilizing computer graphicsin advance, and stored as image data.

Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the knitted fabricdisplayed as an image and information for making a knitted fabric can bemutually converted, based on a corresponding relationship between thebasic knitting stitches and the knitting stitches for a pattern and apreset method for representing knitting stitches for making a knittedfabric.

Furthermore, the invention provides a program for executing any one ofthe above-described knit design method on a computer.

Furthermore, the invention provides a knit design apparatus fordesigning a knitted fabric while displaying an image of the knittedfabric on image displaying means, comprising:

knitting stitch image storing means for previously storing image datarepresenting an image representing a shape of a basic knitting stitchfor making a predetermined basic knitted fabric, an image representing ashape of a knitting stitch for a pattern for forming a texture patternby changing a knitting stitch of the knitted fabric from the shape ofthe basic knitting stitch, and an image of a transformed knitting stitchrepresenting a shape of a knitting stitch in a periphery of the knittingstitch for a pattern that is transformed by an influence of making theknitting stitch for a pattern;

knitted fabric information inputting means for inputting information forforming the image of the knitted fabric by combining the basic image andthe pattern image stored in the knitting stitch storing means;

knitting stitch image transforming means for substituting the image ofthe transformed knitting stitch stored in the knitting stitch imagestoring means for the image representing the knitting stitch made in theperiphery of the pattern image in the knitted fabric based on apredetermined corresponding relationship, in response to the informationinput to the knitted fabric information inputting means; and

knitted fabric image displaying means for displaying the image of theknitted fabric on the image displaying means by combining the images ofthe basic knitting stitches, the knitting stitches for a pattern and thetransformed knitting stitches.

Furthermore, the invention is characterized by further comprising:

library registration means for allowing previously registering patterndesigns obtained by combining the basic knitting stitch, the knittingstitch for a pattern and the transformed knitting stitch so as toinclude the basic knitted fabric in which the basic knitting stitchesare arranged and a pattern knitted fabric in which the knitting stitchesfor a pattern are arranged as opposed to the basic knitting stitches andthe transformed knitting stitches are substituted for the stitches inthe periphery, in a form of module,

wherein the knitted fabric information inputting means includes knittedfabric editing means capable of performing editing work includingselecting a pattern design registered in the library registration meansand changing the size of the selected pattern design and/or the numberof repetitions.

Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the knitted fabricimage displaying means allows the image of the knitted fabric to bedisplayed by dividing images of knitting stitches into a plurality oflayers and assigning a degree of priority to each layer, and displayingthe image of the knitting stitch of the layer having the highestpriority when images are present at a position of knitting stitchescorresponding between the layers, and

the knitted fabric editing means can perform an editing operation ofgenerating and deleting an image of a knitting stitch and changing theposition and the shape of the generated knitting stitch in each layer.

Furthermore, the invention is characterized by further comprising:

synthesized knitted fabric converting means for converting the knittedfabric displayed by the image displaying means into information formaking a knitted fabric, based on a corresponding relationship betweenthe basic knitting stitches and the knitting stitches for a pattern andthe preset method for representing knitting stitches for making aknitted fabric,

wherein the knitted fabric information inputting means includes knittedfabric information converting means for converting the information formaking a knitted fabric according to the method for representingknitting stitches to a combination of the basic knitting stitch and theknitting stitch for a pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the inventionwill be more explicit from the following detailed description taken withreference to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic concept of simulation of a knitdesign method of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of simulating a knittedfabric with images based on the concept of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configurationof a knit design apparatus 20 that implements the knit design method ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configurationof a computer apparatus 30 that can serve as the knit design apparatus20 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a schematic procedure when designing aknitted fabric using the knit design apparatus 20 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view showing element images of knitting stitches previouslyprepared in the means 22 for storing knitting stitch images of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view showing element images of knitting stitches previouslyprepared in the means 22 for storing knitting stitch images of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthis embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a view showing element images of knitting stitches previouslyprepared in the means 22 for storing knitting stitch images of FIG. 3;

FIG. 26 is a view showing the images of a simulated knitted fabric thatare displayed in comparison with data for making knitting stitches inthe this embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed in means 19for displaying images at the time of editing work by means 26 forediting a knitted fabric of FIG. 3;

FIG. 28 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed in means 19for displaying images at the time of editing work by means 26 forediting a knitted fabric of FIG. 3;

FIG. 29 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed in means 19for displaying images at the time of selecting a pattern design at theediting work by the means 26 for editing a knitted fabric of FIG. 3;

FIG. 30 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed in means 19for displaying images at the time of selecting a pattern design at theediting work by the means 26 for editing a knitted fabric of FIG. 3;

FIG. 31 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed in means 19for displaying images at the time of selecting a pattern design at theediting work by the means 26 for editing a knitted fabric of FIG. 3;

FIG. 32 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed in means 19for displaying images at the time of selecting a pattern design at theediting work by the means 26 for editing a knitted fabric of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 33 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed in means 19for displaying images at the time of selecting a pattern design at theediting work by the means 26 for editing a knitted fabric of FIG. 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the inventionare described below in details.

FIG. 1 shows the basic concept of simulation of a knit design method ofone embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.1(a), images of knitting stitches are processed for rendering whiledividing the images into a plurality of layers, for example, an upperlayer 1 and a lower layer 2. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the design of aknitted fabric is performed while displaying a knitted fabric image 3. Adegree of priority is assigned to each layer of a plurality of layer,and when an image is present at a position of the knitting stitchescorresponding between the layers, the image of the knitting stitch ofthe layer having the highest priority is displayed. In each layer, it ispossible to perform an editing operation for changing the position andthe shape of the image of the knitting stitches. Knitting stitch imagesto be arranged in each layer are previously prepared, and images areselected and arranged to form a pattern. Then, the transformation statecaused by the pattern is simulated in the periphery of the area of theknitting stitches in which the pattern is arranged, and a transformedimage is selected and arranged.

Herein, it is assumed that knitting is performed sequentially from thebottom to the top, taking the horizontal direction in the drawings asthe direction of the course of a knitted fabric to be knitted by a flatknitting machine. In the lower layer 2, basic knitting stitches 10 suchas a front jersey stitch by front knit are selected and arrangeduniformly. In the upper layer 1, for example, a knitting stitch for apattern 11 that is gathered to the right for one pitch is arranged. Inthe knitting stitch for a pattern 11, when a knitting stitch loop isdisplaced to the right for one pitch, the knitting stitch in thepreceding course that is already knitted and the knitting stitch in thelater knitted course are transformed from the shape of the basic stitch10 or the like, because the knitting yarns are pulled laterally. In thepresent embodiment, the shapes of the transformed knitting stitches arealso previously prepared as transformed knitting stitches 12 and 13, forexample. When the knitting stitch images in the upper layer 1 and thelower layer 2 are synthesized, the images of the knitting stitch for apattern 11 and the transformed knitting stitches 12 and 13 in the upperlayer have the higher priority over the image of the basic knittingstitch 10 of the lower layer 2, and thus a knitted fabric image 3 asshown in FIG. 1(b) can be obtained.

The images of at least a portion of the basic knitting stitch 10, theknitting stitch for a pattern 11 or the transformed knitting stitches 12and 13 can be stored as image data by previously imaging an actualknitted fabric. Furthermore, the images of at least a portion of thebasic stitch 10, the knitting stitch for a pattern 11 or the transformedknitting stitches 12 and 13 also can be created by previously utilizingcomputer graphics and stored as image data. In addition, the images canbe formed by transforming or modifying the image data obtained by actualimaging, utilizing computer graphics.

FIG. 2 shows the procedure of performing simulation to produce theknitted fabric image 3 shown in FIG. 1(b) based on the basic concept ofFIG. 1. The procedure starts from step a0, and the basic knitting stitch10 is selected in step a1. As the basic stitch 10, it is possible toselect front jersey stitches by the front knit as shown in FIG. 1, backjersey stitches, rib stitches, a links pattern or the other knittingstitch in which either of front stitches or back stitches is present orboth of them are present equally. In step a2, the selected basicknitting stitch 10 is processed for rendering in the lower layer 2. Instep a3, the knitting stitch for a pattern 11 is selected. In step a4,the selected knitting stitch for a pattern 11 is arranged in the upperlayer 1. In step a5, the transformed knitting stitches 12 and 13 arearranged based on the predetermined relationship in a part of or theentire of the periphery of the area of the upper layer 1 in which theknitting stitch for a pattern 11 is arranged, with reference to thebasic knitting stitch 10 in the lower layer 2 corresponding to theperiphery of the area of the upper layer 1 in which the knitting stitchfor a pattern 11 is arranged. In step a6, the images of the upper layer1 and the lower layer 2 are synthesized, and the knitted fabric image 3as shown in FIG. 1(b) is displayed, with placing the higher priority onthe upper layer 1.

In step a7, the designer determines whether or not further editingshould be performed, when looking at the displayed knitted fabric image3. For further editing, a predetermined operation or the like isperformed, the procedure goes to step a8, and the transformed knittingstitches 12 and 13 are deleted from the upper layer 1. In step a9, theediting operation of, for example, modifying the position or the shapeof the knitting stitch for a pattern 11 in the upper layer 1 isperformed, and the procedure returns to step a5. In step a5, thetransformed knitting stitches 12 and 13 are arranged again in theperiphery of the modified knitting stitch for a pattern 11. In step a7,if the designer determines that editing should no longer be performedwhen looking at the knitted fabric image 3, the procedure ends with stepa10. Since the editing operation with respect to the knitting stitch fora pattern 11 is performed to the upper layer 1, which is different fromthe lower layer 2 in which the basic knitting stitch 10 is arranged, theediting with respect to the upper layer 1 does not affect the lowerlayer 2, so that switching between editing and synthesis can beperformed rapidly.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic functional configuration of a knit designapparatus 20 that implements the knit design method based on the basicconcept of FIG. 1 and generates the knitted fabric image 3 to bedisplayed on image displaying means 19. The knit design apparatus 20includes library registration means 21, knitting stitch image storingmeans 22, knitted fabric information inputting means 23, knitting stitchimage transforming means 24, knitted fabric image displaying means 25,knitted fabric editing means 26, an image memory 27, synthesized knittedfabric converting means 28 and knitting data processing means 29.

In the library registration means 21, it is possible to previouslyresister pattern designs obtained by combining the basic knitting stitch10, the knitting stitch for a pattern 11 and the transformed knittingstitches 12 and 13 so as to include a basic knitted fabric in which thebasic knitting stitches 10 are arranged and a pattern knitted fabric inwhich the knitting stitches for a pattern 11 are arranged as opposed tothe basic knitting stitch 10 and the transformed stitches 12 and 13 aresubstituted for the stitches in the periphery, in the form of module. Inthe knitting stitch image storing means 22, an image representing theshape of the basic knitting stitch 10 for making a predetermined basicknitted fabric, a pattern image representing the shape of the knittingstitch for a pattern 11 for forming a texture pattern by changing theknitting stitch of the knitted fabric from the shape of the basicknitting stitch 10, and an image of the transformed stitches 12 and 13representing the shape of the knitting stitches knitted in the peripheryof the knitting stitch for a pattern 11 that are transformed by theinfluence of making the knitting stitch for a pattern 11 are storedpreviously as elements of image data. Information for forming a knittedfabric by combining the basic knitting stitch 10 and the knitting stitchfor a pattern 11 stored in the knitting stitch image storing means 22 isinputted to the knitted fabric information inputting means 23. Theknitting stitch image transforming means 24 substitutes the transformedknitting stitches 12 and 13 stored in the knitting stitch image storingmeans 22 for the knitting stitches knitted in the periphery of the areaof the knitting stitch for a pattern 11 of the knitted fabric, based ona predetermined corresponding relationship, in response to theinformation input to the knitted fabric information inputting means 23.The knitted fabric image displaying means 25 displays the knitted fabricimage 3 on the image displaying means 19 by combining the image of thebasic knitting stitch 10, the image of the knitting stitch for a pattern11 and the image of the transformed knitting stitches 12 and 13.

The knitted fabric image displaying means 25 allows image 3 of theknitted fabric to be displayed by dividing images of knitting stitchesinto a plurality of layers and assigning a degree of priority to eachlayer, and displaying the image of the knitting stitch of the layerhaving the highest priority when images are present at a position ofknitting stitches corresponding between the layers. The number of thelayers is not limited to two, that is, the upper layer 1 and the lowerlayer 2, but a larger number of layers can be used. The knitted fabricediting means 26 can edit images of knitting stitches rendered in alayer structure in the image memory 27. The knitting stitch editingmeans 26 can perform an editing operation of changing the position andthe shape of the image of the knitting stitches in each layer, and canset again the images or the degree of priority between the layers.

Furthermore, the synthesized knitted fabric converting means 28 convertsthe knitted fabric image 3 synthesized by the knitted fabric imagesynthesizing means 25 into information for making a knitted fabric,based on the corresponding relationship between the basic knittingstitch 10 and the knitting stitch for a pattern 11 and the preset methodfor representing knitting stitches for making a knitted fabric. For theknitted fabric information inputting means 23, information for making aknitted fabric according to the method for representing knittingstitches is converted into information for forming images of knittedfabric by combining the image of the basic knitting stitch 10 and theimage of the knitting stitch 11 for a pattern. Therefore, design orinformation creation for making a knitted fabric can be easily performedby mutually converting simulation images of a knitted fabric andinformation for making a knitted fabric, based on the correspondingrelationship between the basic knitting stitch 10 and the knittingstitch for a pattern 11 and the preset method for representing knittingstitches for making a knitted fabric.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic electrical configuration of a computerapparatus 30 that can function as the knit design apparatus 20 of FIG.3. In the computer apparatus 30, a CPU 31 functions as the knit designapparatus 20 of FIG. 3 according to programs previously stored in a ROM32 or programs deployed in a RAM 33. An input device 34 receivesinstructions or operations from the designer. A keyboard or a pointingdevice such as a mouse, a trackball, and a pen tablet can be used as theinput device 34. The images of a knitting stitch or a knitted fabric areprocessed in an image-processing device 35. A hard disk device 36 storesprograms deployed in the RAM 33 or stores image data of a knittingstitch, serving as the library registration means 21 or the knittingstitch image storing means 22 of FIG. 3. An external storing device 37,to/from which a recording medium is attached/removed, is used to deliverdata for making a knitted fabric or deliver programs or image data. Dataor programs can be downloaded from an information communication networksuch as the internet via a communication adaptor 38. The imagesoutputted from the image-processing means 35 are displayed on a displaydevice 39 corresponding to the image displaying means 19 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic procedure when a designer designs a knittedfabric using the knitted fabric editing means 26 of the knit designapparatus 20 of FIG. 3. The procedure starts from step b0, and in stepb1, a part of the pattern design registered in the library registrationmeans 21 in the form of module is displayed on a display screen of theimage displaying means 19. The displayed pattern design can be selectedby a click operation or the like by moving a cursor in the screenutilizing a pointing device. The display can be switched to displayanother pattern design. In step b2, the designer selects a patterndesign. In step b3, the designer performs an editing operation to theselected pattern design. In editing, the size of the pattern design, thenumber of repetitions, the position or the like can be changedarbitrarily. For example, when the number of gathered stitches ischanged, selection or substitution of knitting stitches for a pattern,and substitution of transformed knitting stitches in a part of or theentire periphery of the knitting stitch for a pattern are performedautomatically, and images are displayed. As described above, the imagesof the knitting stitches are processed for rendering while being dividedinto a plurality of layers, so that the editing work such as movement,copying, deletion or the like can be performed easily.

When the editing of the pattern design is completed, in step b4, it isdetermined whether or not the edited pattern design is to be registeredin the library registration means 21. When it is determined that itshould be registered, the pattern design is registered in step b5. Aninstruction for registration can be performed, for example, by selectinga button or the like displayed in a part of the screen with a cursor andclicking thereon. The registration in the library means 21 also can beperformed by forming a part of or the entire knitted fabric that isnewly produced into a module. Furthermore, a new pattern design obtainedby combining already registered pattern designs can be registered. Afterthe end of the registration, or after it is determined that noregistration should be performed in step b4, it is determined whether ornot a new pattern design is selected from the library in step b6. When anew pattern design is to be selected, the procedure returns to step b1.When a new pattern design is not selected, the design of the knittedfabric ends in step b7.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show examples of element images of knitting stitchespreviously prepared in the means 22 for storing knitting stitch imagesof FIG. 3. FIG. 6 shows front stitches and FIG. 7 shows back stitches.(a) shows knitting stitch images that can be used in the case ofgathering to the right, and (b) shows knitting stitch images that can beused the case of gathering to the left in each drawing. In FIG. 7(c), Findicates a front stitch, B indicates a back stitch and M indicates amiss-stitch, and element images in a state corresponding totransformation to which the portion of a transition of knitting stitchesis subjected are shown. The knitting stitch shown as the basic knittingstitch 10 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the first element image shown in{circle over (1)} of FIG. 6(a). The knitting stitch for a pattern 11 inFIG. 1 corresponds to the third element image shown in {circle over(3)}. The transformed knitting stitches 12 and 13 correspond to thesecond and the fourth element images shown in {circle over (2)} and{circle over (4)}, respectively.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the knitting stitches necessary to display a patternof a basic knitted fabric such as jersey stitches, rib stitches, links,and one-pitch-gathering as element images. The element images as theminimum unit of the knitted fabric image are combined so that knittedfabrics of various patterns can be displayed, and the storage capacityof a memory or the like for storing the images can be saved. The case ofgathering to the left in (b) has a relationship of reflected images withrespect to the case of gathering to the right in (a), and therefore canbe omitted and formed by inverting the right and the left in the mirrorimage process, when necessary.

FIG. 6(a) shows that 18 element images that are minimum necessary todisplay a knitted fabric that is gathered to the right for one pitch injersey front stitches are prepared. This includes the fourteenth, thefifteenth, and the sixteenth knitting stitches for a pattern that areused to display the knitted fabric in which the position next to theone-pitch-gathering is a miss-stitch and the seventeenth transformedknitting stitch and the eighteenth knitting stitch for a pattern thatare used to display gathering for shaping.

FIG. 6(b) shows that 18 element images that are minimum necessary todisplay a knitted fabric that is gathered to the left for one pitch injersey front stitches are prepared.

FIG. 7(a) shows that thirteen element images that are minimum necessaryto display a knitted fabric that is gathered to the right for one pitchin jersey back stitches are prepared. FIG. 7(b) shows that 13 elementimages that are minimum necessary to display a knitted fabric that isgathered to the left for one pitch in jersey back stitches are prepared.The reason why the number of the element images prepared in FIGS. 7(a)and 7(b) is smaller than that of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) is that thecommonly usable element images are shared so as to save the storagecapacity of the memory. However, duplicate element images can beprepared.

The element images of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) can be classified into thebasic knitting stitch, the knitting stitch for a pattern and thetransformed knitting stitch as follows. The number is the ordinal numberof the element images shown.

-   Basic knitting stitch: 1-   Knitting stitch for a pattern: 3, 6, 8, 14, 15, 16 and 18-   Transformed knitting stitch: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 17

FIGS. 8 to 24 show the images of the knitted fabric to be synthesized inthe this embodiment in comparison with the data for making a knittedfabric. FIG. 8 shows the case where there is gathering in only oneportion. FIG. 8(a) shows the same knitted fabric as that of FIG. 1. FIG.8(b) shows an example of back stitches. FIG. 8(b) corresponds to thecase of the front stitches of FIG. 7(a) in that the first element imageof FIG. 7(a) is used as the knitting stitch corresponding to the basicknitting stitch 10 of FIG. 1 and the third, the second and the fourthelement images are used as the knitting stitches corresponding to theknitting stitch for a pattern 11, the transformed knitting stitches 12and 13, respectively. FIG. 9 shows a knitted fabric obtained bycombining FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b).

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the case in which gathering to the right is presentconsecutively in the upper right direction. Within one course,one-pitch-gathering to the right is present consecutively in threestitches. For the knitting stitch in the far left end of the threeconsecutive stitches, the second and the fourth element images are addedas the transformed knitting stitches in the same manner as in FIGS. 8(a)and 8(b). For gathering to the right in the two stitches on the rightside, the sixth element images of FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 7(a) are arrangedas the knitting stitch for a pattern. On the lower side, that is, in theprevious course of the two knitting stitches, the fifth element imagesof FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 7(a) are arranged as the transformed knittingstitches. The thus obtained area of the total of seven knitting stitcheshas an approximately L-shape, and by repeating this area as a unit inthe upper right direction, an image of a consecutive texture pattern canbe obtained.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show examples in which gathering is present consecutivelyin the upper direction. FIG. 12 shows the case in which gathering to theright is present consecutively in the upper direction. As the knittedfabric for a pattern corresponding to the gathering to the right on thelower side, the third element image of FIG. 6(a) is used, and the eighthelement image is used as the knitted fabric for a pattern that is abovethat image. The seventh element image is used as a transformed knittingstitch between the eighth and the third elements. The fourth elementimage is used as the transformed knitting stitch above the eighthelement image. FIG. 13 shows an example of a knitted fabric in whichgathering to the left is present consecutively above the gathering tothe right. Since the course preceding the knitting stitch of gatheringto the right on the upper side is the next course of the knitting stitchof gathering to the right on the lower side, the ninth element image ofFIG. 6(a) is used as an intermediate transformed knitting stitch. InFIG. 14, another gathered knitting stitch of FIG. 13 for each is addedon the right side. For the knitting stitch for forming a pattern, thethird and the sixth element images are used. For the knitting stitch forwhich the ninth element image is used in FIG. 13, the tenth elementimage is used as a transformed knitting stitch. For other transformedknitting stitches, the second and the fifth element images are used.

FIGS. 15 to 18 show examples of a texture pattern that can be formed bycombining gathering. FIG. 15 shows a leaf pattern. One to five knittingstitches of one-pitch-gathering to the left and to the right are alignedin the course direction and displaced sequentially in a knitted fabricof the first element images of FIG. 6(a) corresponding to the basicknitting stitch of front knit that is front jersey stitches. Similarlyto FIG. 10, a knitting stitch with no knitting yarn is present on theend of the side opposite to the gathering direction. FIGS. 16 and 17show examples in which the end of gathering is opposite between thefront and the back. In FIG. 16, one-pitch-gathering to the right withfront knit is present consecutively in three stitches in the coursedirection, and back jersey stitches with back knit are arranged on boththe sides thereof. Back jersey stitches are also arranged on both thesides of the knitting stitch with front knit that is gathered to theleft for one pitch. In FIG. 17, the relationship between the frontstitches and the back stitches is inverted with respect to FIG. 16. FIG.18 shows a pattern to which the pattern of FIG. 16 is applied.

FIGS. 19 to 21 show examples of the case where a neighboring stitch ofgathering is a miss-stitch. In FIGS. 19 and 20, the stitches on bothends in the course direction are gathered to the right or the left forone pitch, and the stitch therebetween is a miss-stitch without needlestitching. The gathering occurs in the direction that allows thestitches to become mutually closer on the upper side of the drawings,and in the direction that allows the stitches to become mutually aparton the lower side. FIG. 19 shows the case of front stitches, and FIG. 20shows the case of back stitches. FIG. 21 shows the case where in thefront knit, a knitting stitch that is gathered to the right for onepitch is arranged only in one end in a part of the miss-stitchesaligning in the course direction.

FIGS. 22 to 24 show gathering for shaping. FIGS. 22 shows an example ofgathering for one pitch each. FIG. 23 shows the case of gathering for 2pitches each. FIG. 24 shows an example in which a course of two-pitchgathering and a course with front knit are repeated. In FIG. 22, it ispossible to be represented by combining element images shown in FIG.6(a). When the knitted fabric images of FIGS. 23 and 24 are simulated, aknitting stitch image corresponding to the two-pitch gathering and anelement image corresponding to a hemming stitch are required, and theknitted fabric image cannot be displayed properly with the elementimages of the basic knitting stitch, the knitting stitch for a pattern,and the transformed knitting stitch prepared in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 25 shows examples of an element image of a knitting stitchcorresponding to the two-pitch gathering shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 and anelement image of a knitting stitch corresponding to a hemming stitch.When these element images are combined, the simulation image of aknitted fabric that is projected laterally while performing aknitting-out process in the end portion of the knitted fabric can begenerated as shown in FIG. 26. In order to increase the number of thelaterally projected knitting stitches, it is sufficient to repeat aportion surrounded by a broken line in accordance with the number ofstitches.

FIGS. 27 to 33 show examples of images displayed on a display screen 40of the image displaying means 19 when performing editing work utilizingthe means 26 for editing a knitted fabric of FIG. 3. FIGS. 27 and 28show the screen when the knitting is being edited. A zoom image 41 ofthe knitted fabric is displayed corresponding to a range designation 43that is performed in a zoom instruction region 42. A knitting stitchloop instructed by an instruction frame 45 a in a loop editing region 44can be added to the zoom knitted fabric 41 that is subjected to editing.Furthermore, a knitting stitch loop instructed by the instruction frame45 a can be repeated and added, utilizing an editing function 45 b thatinstruct a repeat or the like.

FIGS. 29 to 33 show a loop selection screen 46 when selecting a patterndesign previously registered in the library registration means 21 ofFIG. 3 in the form of module. The pattern designs are classifiedbasically into links, crossing, gathering, front and back crossing andtuck, and can be selected from a list display region 47 with a selectionframe 48. The pattern design selected with the selection frame 48 isdisplayed in a module display region 49. FIG. 29 shows an exampledisplaying a registered pattern design of links, FIG. 30 shows that ofcrossing, FIG. 31 shows that of gathering, FIG. 32 shows that of frontand back crossing, and FIG. 33 shows that of tuck. The pattern designdisplayed in the module display region 49 can be displayed with colorcodes for knitting as shown in FIG. 29, or can be displayed as an imageof a simulated knitted fabric as shown in FIGS. 30 to 33. These displayscan be switched appropriately.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and the rangeof equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, according to the invention, when a knitted fabric isdesigned by combining basic knitting stitches and knitting stitches fora pattern while displaying the image of the knitted fabric, the image ofthe knitted fabric is formed by substituting transformed knittingstitches for knitting stitches knitted in the periphery of the knittingstitches for a pattern in the knitted fabric based on the predeterminedcorresponding relationship and combining the images of the basicknitting stitches, the knitting stitches for a pattern and thetransformed knitting stitches. The basic knitting stitches are stitchesfor making a predetermined basic knitted fabric, the knitting stitchesfor a pattern are stitches for forming a texture pattern or the like bychanging the knitting stitches of the knitted fabric from the shape ofthe basic knitting stitches. With the transformed knitting stitches, theinfluence to which the knitting stitches knitted in the periphery of theknitting stitches for a pattern are subjected due to the influence ofmaking the knitting stitches for a pattern can be reflected. Since thetransformed knitting stitches are arranged in the periphery of theknitting stitches for a pattern, a combination of knitting stitchesclose to those of an actually made knitted fabric can be obtained. Theimages of the basic knitting stitches, the knitting stitches for apattern and the transformed knitting stitches can be generated inadvance, so that the images of the knitted fabric whose knittingstitches are combined can be displayed rapidly as simulation images.

Furthermore, according to the invention, pattern designs including abasic knitted fabric in which the basic knitting stitches are arrangedand a pattern knitted fabric in which the knitting stitches for apattern are arranged as opposed to the basic knitting stitches and thetransformed knitting stitches are substituted for the stitches in theperiphery are previously registered in a library, and a pattern designregistered in the library is selected and edited so as to design aknitted fabric. Therefore, the designer does not have to select directlythe basic knitting stitches or the knitting stitches for a pattern forthe design of the knitted fabric. Thus, design of knitted fabrics can beperformed efficiently.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the images of a knitted fabricto be displayed as images of a knitted fabric are divided into andassigned to a plurality of layers, and when images are present at theposition of the knitting stitches corresponding between the layers, theimage of the knitting stitch of the layer having the highest priority isdisplayed, and an editing operation of changing the position and theshape of the image of the knitting stitch can be performed in eachlayer. Therefore, design of a knitted fabric in which knitting stitchesare combined can be performed easily.

Furthermore, according to the invention, realistic images can bedisplayed by utilizing image data of an actually taken photograph of anactual knitted fabric for at least a portion of the images of the basicknitting stitches, the knitting stitches for a pattern or thetransformed knitting stitches.

Furthermore, according to the invention, at least a portion of the basicknitting stitches, the knitting stitches for a pattern or thetransformed knitting stitches is created utilizing computer graphics inadvance, so that image data of knitting stitches constituting a knittedfabric that does not actually exist can be created and stored.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the knitted fabric displayed asimages and information for making a knitted fabric can be mutuallyconverted, based on the corresponding relationship between the basicknitting stitches and the knitting stitches for a pattern and the presetmethod for representing knitting stitches for making a knitted fabric,and therefore the appearance of the knitted fabric can be simulated fromdata for making a knitted fabric, and the images thereof can bedisplayed, or data for making a knitted fabric can be generated from thesimulation images.

Furthermore, according to the invention, any one of the knit designmethods described above is utilized by being implemented on a computer.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a knit design apparatus fordesigning a knitted fabric, with displaying images of a knitting fabricon the image displaying means, previously stores image data representingthe basic knitting stitches, the knitting stitches for a pattern and thetransformed knitting stitches in the knitting stitch image storingmeans, so that necessary images can be utilized rapidly. The images of aknitted fabric are displayed on the image displaying means whilereflecting the influence to which the knitting stitches knitted in theperiphery of the knitting stitches for a pattern are subjected in theknitted fabric by substituting transformed knitting stitches stored inthe knitting stitch image storing means based on the predeterminedcorresponding relationship, in response to the information input to theknitted fabric information inputting means regarding a knitted fabric tobe knitted, and combining the images of the basic knitting stitches, theknitting stitches for a pattern and the transformed knitting stitches.Therefore, a texture pattern, for example, can be simulated in a stateclose to that of an actual knitted fabric and displayed.

Furthermore, according to the invention, pattern designs including abasic knitted fabric in which the basic knitting stitches are arrangedand a pattern knitted fabric in which the knitting stitches for apattern are arranged as opposed to the basic knitting stitches, and thetransformed knitting stitches are substituted for the stitches in theperiphery thereof are previously registered in the library registrationmeans in the form of module, and editing work including selecting apattern design registered in the library and changing the size of theselected pattern design and/or the number of repetitions is performed bythe knitted fabric editing means provided in the knitted fabricinformation inputting means. Thus, design of knitted fabrics can beperformed easily.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the images of a knitted fabriccan be synthesized by dividing knitting stitches into a plurality oflayers, and displaying the image of the knitting stitch of the layerhaving the highest priority among the layers, and an editing operationof changing the position and the shape of the image of the knittingstitch can be performed in each layer. Therefore, the editing operationcan be performed easily while displaying the image of the simulatedknitted fabric.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the images of the simulatedknitted fabric and information for making a knitted fabric can bemutually converted, based on the corresponding relationship between thebasic knitting stitches and the knitting stitches for a pattern and thepreset method for representing knitting stitches for making a knittedfabric, and therefore design and generation of information for making aknitted fabric can be performed easily.

1. A knit design method for designing a knitted fabric while displayingan image of the knitted fabric, comprising: allowing designing a knittedfabric by combining an image representing a shape of a basic knittingstitch for making a predetermined basic knitted fabric and an imagerepresenting a shape of a knitting stitch for a pattern for forming atexture pattern by changing a knitting stitch of the knitted fabric fromthe shape of the basic knitting stitch; allowing generating a pluralityof kinds of images of transformed knitting stitches representing a shapeof a knitting stitch in a periphery of the knitting stitch for a patternthat is transformed in accordance with a position by an influence ofmaking the knitting stitch for a pattern, based on a combination of thebasic knitting stitch and the transformed knitting stitch; substitutingan image selected from the plurality of images of transformed knittingstitches in accordance with a position of a knitting stitch for theknitting stitch in the periphery of the knitting stitch for a pattern,based on a predetermined corresponding relationship when design of theknitted fabric is performed by combining the basic knitting stitch andthe knitting stitch for a pattern; and displaying the image of theknitted fabric as an image obtained by combining the basic knittingstitch, the knitting stitch for a pattern and the transformed knittingstitch.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the design of the knittedfabric is performed by previously registering pattern designs in alibrary, the pattern designs being obtained by combining the basicknitting stitch, the knitting stitch for a pattern and the transformedknitting stitch so as to include a basic knitted fabric in which thebasic knitting stitches are arranged and a pattern are arranged asopposed to the basic knitting stitches and the transformed knittingstitches are substituted for the stitches in the periphery, selecting apattern design registered in the library, and editing the selectedpattern design.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the image of theknitted fabric is displayed by synthesizing images of the pattern designthat are divided and assigned into a plurality of layers, a degree ofpriority is assigned to each layer, and when images are present at aposition of knitting stitches corresponding between the layers, theimage of the knitting stitch of the layer having the highest priority isdisplayed, and an operation of changing the position and the shape ofthe image of the knitting stitch can be performed for editing in eachlayer.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of theimages of the basic knitting stitches, the knitting stitches for apattern or the transformed knitting stitches is obtained by imaging anactual knitted fabric in advance and stored as image data.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the basic knitting stitches,the knitting stitches for a pattern or the transformed knitting stitchesis created utilizing computer graphics in advance, and stored as imagedata.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the knitted fabric displayed asan image and information for making a knitted fabric can be mutuallyconverted, based on a corresponding relationship between the basicknitting stitches and the knitting stitches for a pattern and a presetmethod for representing knitting stitches for making a knitted fabric.7. A program for executing the knit design method of claim 1 on acomputer.
 8. A knit design apparatus for designing a knitted fabricwhile displaying an image of the knitted fabric on image displayingmeans, comprising: knitting stitch image storing means for previouslystoring image data representing an image representing a shape of a basicknitting stitch for making a predetermined basic knitted fabric, animage representing a shape of a knitting stitch for a pattern forforming a texture pattern by changing a knitting stitch of the knittedfabric from the shape of the basic knitting stitch, and a plurality ofimages of transformed knitting stitches representing a shape of aknitting stitch in a periphery of the knitting stitch for a pattern thatis transformed in accordance with a position by an influence of makingthe knitting stitch for a pattern; knitted fabric information inputtingmeans for inputting information for forming the image of the knittedfabric by combining the basic image and the pattern image stored in theknitting stitch storing means; knitting stitch image transforming meansfor substituting an image selected from the plurality of images oftransformed knitting stitches in accordance with a position of aknitting stitch stored in the knitting stitch image storing means forthe image representing the knitting stitch made in the periphery of thepattern image in the knitted fabric based on a predeterminedcorresponding relationship, in response to the information input to theknitted fabric information inputting means; and knitted fabric imagedisplaying means for displaying the image of the knitted fabric on theimage displaying means by combining the images of the basic knittingstitches, the knitting stitches for a pattern and the transformedknitting stitches.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:library registration means for allowing previously registering patterndesigns obtained by combining the basic knitting stitch, the knittingstitch for a pattern and the transformed knitting stitch so as toinclude the basic knitted fabric in which the basic knitting stitchesare arranged and a pattern knitted fabric in which the knitting stitchesfor a pattern are arranged as opposed to the basic knitting stitches andthe transformed knitting stitches are substituted for the stitches inthe periphery, in a form of module, wherein the knitted fabricinformation inputting means includes knitted fabric editing meanscapable of performing editing work including selecting a pattern designregistered in the library registration means and changing the size ofthe selected pattern design and/or the number of repetitions.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the knitted fabric image displaying meansallows the image of the knitted fabric to be displayed by dividingimages of knitting stitches into a plurality of layers and assigning adegree of priority to each layer, and displaying the image of theknitting stitch of the layer having the highest priority when images arepresent at a position of knitting stitches corresponding between thelayers, and the knitted fabric editing means can perform an editingoperation of generating and deleting an image of a knitting stitch andchanging the position and the shape of the generated knitting stitch ineach layer.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:synthesized knitted fabric converting means for converting the knittedfabric displayed by the image displaying means into information formaking a knitted fabric, based on a corresponding relationship betweenthe basic knitting stitches and the knitting stitches for a pattern andthe preset method for representing knitting stitches for making aknitted fabric, wherein the knitted fabric information inputting meansincludes knitted fabric information converting means for converting theinformation for making a knitted fabric according to the method forrepresenting knitting stitches to a combination of the basic knittingstitch and the knitting stitch for a pattern.
 12. The method of claim 2,wherein at least a portion of the images of the basic knitting stitches,the knitting stitches for a pattern or the transformed knitting stitchesis obtained by imaging an actual knitted fabric in advance and stored asimage data.
 13. The method of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of theimages of the basic knitting stitches, the knitting stitches for apattern or the transformed knitting stitches is obtained by imaging anactual knitted fabric in advance and stored as image data.
 14. Themethod of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the basic knittingstitches, the knitting stitches for a pattern or the transformedknitting stitches is created utilizing computer graphics in advance, andstored as image data.
 15. The method of claim 3, wherein at least aportion of the basic knitting stitches, the knitting stitches for apattern or the transformed knitting stitches is created utilizingcomputer graphics in advance, and stored as image data.
 16. The methodof claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the basic knitting stitches,the knitting stitches for a pattern or the transformed knitting stitchesis created utilizing computer graphics in advance, and stored as imagedata.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of thebasic knitting stitches, the knitting stitches for a pattern or thetransformed knitting stitches is created utilizing computer graphics inadvance, and stored as image data.
 18. The method of claim 13, whereinat least a portion of the basic knitting stitches, the knitting stitchesfor a pattern or the transformed knitting stitches is created utilizingcomputer graphics in advance, and stored as image data.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 9, further comprising: synthesized knitted fabricconverting means for converting the knitted fabric displayed by theimage displaying means into information for making a knitted fabric,based on a corresponding relationship between the basic knittingstitches and the knitting stitches for a pattern and the preset methodfor representing knitting stitches for making a knitted fabric, whereinthe knitted fabric information inputting means includes knitted fabricinformation converting means for converting the information for making aknitted fabric according to the method for representing knittingstitches to a combination of the basic knitting stitch and the knittingstitch for a pattern.
 20. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:synthesized knitted fabric converting means for converting the knittedfabric displayed by the image displaying means into information formaking a knitted fabric, based on a corresponding relationship betweenthe basic knitting stitches and the knitting stitches for a pattern andthe preset method for representing knitting stitches for making aknitted fabric, wherein the knitted fabric information inputting meansincludes knitted fabric information converting means for converting theinformation for making a knitted fabric according to the method forrepresenting knitting stitches to a combination of the basic knittingstitch and the knitting stitch for a pattern.